Boise State running back Ajayi runs strong at NFL Combine

In what is perhaps the most important event at the NFL Combine, former Boise State running back Jay Ajayi performed well, likely continuing to help his case as one of the top prospects at his position with the NFL Draft two months away.

Ajayi's first run in the 40-yard dash Saturday was clocked unofficially at 4.62 seconds, placing him 15th among the 31 running backs taking part in the drill. His second run, however, was a strong 4.57 seconds, ninth-best on the day.

Ajayi also helped his case with strong showings in the day's other events — his time of 11.1 seconds in the 60-yard shuttle drill was second, and his 4.1-second time in the 20-yard shuttle was third. Ajayis' 39-inch vertical leap was fifth-best among running backs, as was his 121-inch broad jump. Only Ameer Abdullah of Nebraska finished in the top five of those events, too. Ajayi and Northern Iowa's David Johnson was the only backs to place in the top 10 of the 40-yard dash and in the top five of four other events.